THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2505

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020

S.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO HEALTH.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Act 90, Session Laws of Hawaii 2019, established the involuntary hospitalization task force to improve the admission process and care access for certain individuals who are involuntarily hospitalized.  Act 263, Session Laws of Hawaii 2019, established a working group to evaluate current behavioral health care and related systems and to identify existing resources, systems gaps, and possible action steps to improve the overall system of care.  The findings from these initiatives highlight the need in Hawaii for a coordinated network of stabilization beds to allow health care workers to provide triage, clinical assessment, and recommendations for the next level of care for individuals struggling with substance use, mental health conditions, and homelessness.

     The National Coalition for the Homeless has found that sixty-four per cent of homeless individuals are dependent on alcohol or other substances.  In Hawaii, the Oahu homeless point in time count reported that 36.4 per cent of homeless single adults suffer from some type of mental illness.  The intersection of homelessness and behavioral health conditions is a crisis in the State and contributes to Hawaii having the second highest rate of homelessness in the nation.  Unfortunately, there is currently no coordinated system of stabilization for homeless individuals that assesses for and links to the next level of clinical care.

     The legislature additionally finds that the current resources for those needing stabilization based on substance use, mental health, and homelessness are stretched, and emergency facilities throughout the State have experienced substantial increases in psychiatric emergency admissions.  This has resulted in overcrowding and unsafe conditions for patients and medical staff.

     The legislature also finds that comprehensive crisis response and stabilization services are crucial elements of the continuum of care.  Reducing unnecessary admissions to emergency departments by appropriately placing clients in more suitable levels of care will improve outcomes, reduce inpatient hospital stays, and facilitate access to other behavioral health services.

     The Hawaii coordinated access resource entry system provides access to services for substance use and behavioral health.  The purpose of the system is to provide a coordinated system of care rather than an assortment of independent services.  During its first three months of operation, the Hawaii coordinated access resource entry system identified the lack of stabilization beds as a significant gap in existing resources.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require and appropriate funds for the department of health to provide short‑term residential beds to allow the stabilization, triage, and assessment of patients in need of services for mental health conditions, substance use, or homelessness.

     SECTION 2.  The department of health shall repurpose unused state facilities to provide short-term residential beds to allow the stabilization, triage, and assessment of patients in need of services for mental health conditions, substance use, or homelessness.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for the purposes of this Act.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.


 


 

Report Title:

DOH; Stabilization Beds; Substance Use; Mental Health Conditions; Homelessness; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires and appropriates funds for the Department of Health to repurpose unused state facilities to provide short-term residential beds to allow the stabilization, triage, and assessment of patients in need of services for mental health conditions, substance use, or homelessness.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD2)

 

 

 

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